Young Artists Share Their Picture Of A Perfect World (NAPSA)—Notonly is a picture pea worth a thousand words, but two pictures in particular have made it possible for some lucky youngsters to help give hope to children in need around the world. Two young people, grand-prize winners of the 2004 Pier 1/ UNICEF/Weekly Reader Greeting Card Contest, will celebrate in New York this holiday season as part of their prize for the “Picture a Perfect World” contest. The annual art contest attracted thousands of young contestants who competedto have their designs turned into real UNICEFcardsto help benefit children worldwide. At only 6-years-old, Zane of Blair, Nebraska won for the 7year-old and under category. Eleven-year-old Rebecca, from Valrico, Florida, won for the 8- to 13-year-old category. Both winning creations have been reproduced as official UNICEF greeting cards for the 2004 holiday season and are available for purchase now through December 2004 exclusively at Pier 1 Imports. Zane, a first grader, created a snowman with the word “Love” inscribed on its belly. Rebecca, currently in her first year of middle school, painted a watercolor design featuring two homes during a snowfall. Profiles of the two young artists will be featured in Weekly Reader magazine this fall. “Weekly Reader is delighted to be a partnerin the greeting card contest,” said Emily Swenson, president of the publication. One hundred percent of the The work of two young artists is the basis for a well-known series of holiday greeting cards. proceeds from the sale of UNICEF greeting cards at Pier 1 stores and at pierl.com are donated to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support UNICEF programs in 158 coun- tries and territories worldwide. “Every year we are proud of the children who participate in this contest,” said Charles J. Lyons, president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Wefind it challenging to select just two cards from thousandsof artistic designs—it shows great responsibility from young children who do their part to makethe world a better place.” Pier 1 has raised nearly $20 million from the sale of the cards since 1985, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to UNICEF. “We take great pleasure in participating in a partnership that has such a far-reaching impact,” said Marvin J. Girouard, chairman and CEO of Pier 1 Imports. “We know that children around the world rely on our efforts here to help them realize a better future.” For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org or call 1-8004UNICEF.
